Swoop (Richard), Hilton, Chad, Lester and Lyn doing Kilimanjaro
Rocky and Shireen joined for Zanzibar
11/06/2004 Fly CT – Jhb – Darussalam and then on to Kilimanjaro
11/06/2004 Transfer to Keys Hotel in Moshi – 1 night here
12 – 17/06/2004 Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route (Wild Frontier)
(all routes: Marangu, Shira, Mweka, Umbwe and Mechame)
We did Umbwe – the most beautiful route and shortest but most difficult. Avoids crowds and walking is less so more time to enjoy and acclimatize
17/06/2004 Keys Hotel
18/06/2004 Fly Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar
18/06/2004 Transfer from Zanzibar to Chavda Hotel – 1 night here in Stone Town
19/06/2004 Taxi from Stone Town north to Nungwi
19 – 24/06/2004 – Staying in Nungwi at Amaan Beach Bungalows
24/06/2004 – Taxi back to Stone Town
25/06/2004 – Fly back to SA: Zanzibar – Darussalam – Jhb – CT
Kilimanjaro: Day 1
Fly into Kilimanjaro and transfer to Keys hotel (base camp)
Pack bags, meet guide and porters, do paperwork.
Day 2
After breakfast we were driven to the park gate to meet our guide and porters. Lots more paperwork and organization. This part of the walk is in the forest so wet weather gear is in day pack. Lots of mud. It starts steep but you walk slowly. A 7 hour walk through spectacular forests bring you to the 1st nights campsites – Umbwe Caves. Camp is set up by the porters and they cook us food. Already we are at 2900m.
Day 3
It starts cooling down after lunch so we need to pack a warm top into our daypack. And it may be wet still. We start taking Diamox from today to avoid altitude sickness and lots of water. Steep walking through the forest, and along a sharp ridge, before the path flattens as we approach Barranco Hut in the moor land zone. A fairly long and strenuous day of about 6 hours. We overnight here at 3900m
Day 4
A leisurely morning before a steep rocky ridge ascent along Barranco Wall and dropping down into Karanga Valley at 4200m. About 4 hours walking.
Day 5
We continue across to Barafu Hut (4600m), approx. 5 hours walking. This is acclimitisation day as we ascend up sections of scree and rock and then down into valleys. A hard day of walking at high altitudes. We rest at Barafu for the whole afternoon – gathering strength for the summit. It is cold here. This is base camp and we sleep here until midnight.
Day 6
Wake up is at 00h30 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all warm gear, carry 3L of water and start the final ascent. 4-5hours up scree with frequent stops to rest and for the guide to check we are all ok. Extremely cold and exhausting. Spectacular views as it starts getting light. Arrive at Stella Point 5750m just at the top of the crater, have a rest and continue to Uhuru Peak 5895m – the highest point in Africa. We arrived first and had the best views of the rising sun and views. After a few photos and much celebrating including sips from mini bottles of Jack Daniels we started down again. From Stella to Barafu and then something to drink and eat before continuing down Mweka Route.
As you travel down the spree you get more and more oxygen which feels amazing. It is a long descent to Mweka 3100m by afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Cokes, beers and celebrating.
Day 7
3-4 hour descent through the rainforest to the park gate, beers and transfer to hotel. Celebrations around the pool and certificates handed out. Lots more drinks, tips for guides, and overnight at Keys hotel.
Day 8
Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport to fly to Zanzibar